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Change the Number of Dwelling Units

Before beginning construction to change the number of dwelling units in your home, there are several steps you will need to take to ensure your alteration will be in compliance with local zoning and building regulations. Your proposed alteration must meet Zoning regulations. If your home is a landmark, in a local historic district, in a special district, or has specialized zoning, additional approvals may be required.

Process Overview

Determine Zoning

The first step to change the number of dwelling units in a 1 or 2 family home is to determine if the parcel is zoned for your desired use or if there are any special development considerations for your project. Your ability to change the number of dwelling units in your home is restricted by many factors, including the zoning of the property, the number of existing dwelling units and bedrooms in the building, the size of the lot, the amount of open (green) space on the lot, and the availability of parking on the property.

Zoning staff will be able to tell you the zoning of the property and if there are any special conditions which will affect your project. Some of these alteration projects will require a special approval, such as conditional use approval from the Plan Commission, an alteration to an existing conditional use, or alteration to a PDSIP. Projects which require a special approval will be reviewed by various City agencies through the Parking Lot / Site Plan Review process. Zoning staff can guide you through this process. Additional information may be found by going to Land Development.

Who to Contact

Draw a Plan

What to Include

Submit Building Plans

Make sure that your site and floor plans are drawn to scale, and include any structural information, i.e. beams, headers, post joists, etc.

Where to Go

Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

Madison Municipal Building
126 S. Hamilton St.
Madison, WI 53703

Phone: (608) 266-4551

Note: If your project cannot conform to building code, follow the variance procedure. See the Petition for Variance Application for more information. Please contact Building Inspection at (608) 266-4551 with any questions.

Pay Fees

You will need to pay for any plan review costs, building permits or other fees that may apply to your project.

Where to Go

Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

Building Inspection
126 S. Hamilton St.
Madison, WI 53703

Once the plans have been reviewed and approved, the permit can be issued. If the plans have not been approved, new plans need to be submitted correcting the items listed in the withholding letter. Minor projects can be approved at the counter. More complex projects may take up to 5 working days to review.

Get Permits

When your plans are approved and your fees have been paid, the Building Inspection will issue the required permits for your project.

Schedule Inspections

Once the work permitted is completed, but before covering up or building over any permitted work, you will need to call and request an inspection. Inspections are required to ensure that all work was completed correctly. View required inspections.

Call for an inspection request: (608) 266-4551.

Completion

After your final inspection, your project will be considered complete.